The 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG), the youngest regiment of the French Foreign Legion, is a unit that trains its men for mountain warfare. See some nice images from the March 2022 training in the French Alps.
PHOTOS: Algerian War 1954-1962
Sixty years ago – on March 19, 1962 – the Algerian War ended. One of the decolonization movements that affected the Western empires after World War II, the Algerian War took place between 1954 and 1962 in Algeria, the then French department situated in North Africa. The war was fought between the French armed forces and the National Liberation Army (ALN), the armed wing of the National Liberation Front (FLN). The French Foreign Legion, firmly established in Algeria since 1831, took an important part in the conflict, as the main core of the French intervention forces. Officially, the Legion lost 65 officers, 278 NCOs, and 1,633 legionnaires in action. See over 30 iconic pictures to commemorate the war and those who fought in it on the Legion side.
PHOTOS: 6e REI in Tunisia around 1950
Here is a small set of photos taken in Tunisia, North Africa, in 1949 or 1950. They show a German 1st Class Legionnaire who served with the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment (6e REI) in Tabarka. At the time, the 2nd Battalion 6e REI was stationed in this coastal town situated in the northwestern part of the country.
Foreign Legion Music Band: A song performed in support of Ukrainian families
The 10th of March 2022 marked the 191st anniversary of the creation of the French Foreign Legion. To commemorate this event, the Foreign Legion Music Band (MLE) performed a concert in Aubagne, the Legion’s Mother-house, a day earlier. During this performance, a Ukrainian folk song – Shabelina – was played in support of the Ukrainian families of the victims of the ongoing war.
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French Foreign Legion and Ukraine
Last week, the commander-in-chief of the French Foreign Legion made an address to his Ukrainian legionnaires and their families, in view of the current sad conflict in their country.
2e REI: MMP missile for the first time
In February 2022, at Camp Canjuers, legionnaires of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) were firing MMP guided missiles for the very first time.
History: Learn about the predecessor to the French Foreign Legion
Learn about an infantry regiment of the French Army consisting of foreign volunteers that served as the predecessor to the current French Foreign Legion. It was constituted by a 1815 royal decree, after the defeat of Napoleon I at Waterloo, to replace the eight foreign regiments serving in Napoleon’s army. After its dissolution in early 1831, the unit was replaced by the Foreign Legion.
Read moreHistory: Learn about the predecessor to the French Foreign Legion
1er REC: 5th Squadron train at Camp Larzac
In February 2022, the 5th Squadron cavalrymen of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) trained at Camp Larzac, a military training area located in Southern France.
13e DBLE: 2022 Combat Swimmers
In February 2022, new Palmeurs (combat swimmers) were decorated and integrated in the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE). They are the newest elements within the regiment.
Zygmunt Jatczak & Krzysztof Schramm: I Regret Nothing (English version)
February 9, 2022 marks the first anniversary of the death of Zygmunt Jatczak, most likely the last-known Polish survivor of the First Indochina War (1946-54); he passed away at 97. To honor his memory, an English version of the book with his Legion story has been published.
Read moreZygmunt Jatczak & Krzysztof Schramm: I Regret Nothing (English version)
JOINING: PCR test no older than 24 hours is required to join the Foreign Legion
Since late January 2022, a new rule for joining the French Foreign Legion has been applied. A PCR test no older than 24 hours is required now to enter the recruting centers and begin the selection process. According to the recruiting officers of the Legion, this new rule applies for all candidates from all countries, regardless of the degree of risk of infection, even for vaccinated individuals and people who have recently recovered from Covid.
Read moreJOINING: PCR test no older than 24 hours is required to join the Foreign Legion